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| THE CASUAL GARDENER, Shawna Coronado www.thecasualgardener.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = Meet Marvin Miller: Making A Difference For The Community One Garden At A Time! = = = = = = = = = = = = = Do you want to decrease vandalism and crime? Increase property values and economic development? Build a more united community? Gardening and landscaping is the way to do it - I have recently met an inspiring man who is making this happen in communities across the United States as leader of a giant team of volunteer workers – one garden at a time. His name is Marvin Miller and he is the national President of the America In Bloom association. This association is a nationwide network of volunteers who are changing the face of our country one garden at a time. I met Marvin on a sunny Spring day overlooking the most beautiful garden! Marvin is a charming, well-dressed man who arrived in a suit for our interview and spent a lot of time with me discussing how we all can inspire every day “casual gardeners.” Marvin’s beginnings in the horticulture industry were quite humble. He began is his career as a senior year in high school working at a small retail nursery within walking distance of his home. Marvin went on to undergraduate studies in Horticulture at Purdue and his Masters and eventually a PhD in Agricultural Economics. Marvin is now a Market Research Manager at Ball Horticulture. He has been there for 23 years and regularly travels all over the World. Marvin and his volunteer organization are distinctly important in inspiring to gardeners around the United States. Marvin the President of the American In Bloom association (www.americainbloom.org) which has become a fundamental organization in the promotion of Home Town Improvement. According to Marvin, “America In Bloom is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and both personal and community involvement through the use of flowers, plants, trees and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements, and to providing educational programs and resources to that end.” Participating America in Bloom (AIB) towns have experienced enormous positive changes due to all their volunteer improvement efforts including increased property values, increased economic development and a positive impact on the retail industry, increased tourism and the hospitality industry, decreased vandalism, increased levels of civic pride and community involvement and cultural exchanges with neighboring, national, and international communities. I’ve been quite inspired by AIB and what Marvin is trying to do. The exciting truth about the organization is it has impacted both small towns and cities with up to 20 million people. It’s changing the United States and building a safer and cleaner place to live for many people. According to Marvin, AIB is “patterned after other successful in-bloom programs. France has a program that is 44 years old. Britain in Bloom is 42 years old and Canada is 12 years old. The benefits to the cities involved in these programs in Europe have been incredible. We want to bring these benefits and more to the United States with our AIB program.” Marvin told me about an incredible study performed by the University of Illinois. In this study, the researchers proved that people who were exposed to regular landscaping and “green” experienced reduced ADHD symptoms, increased self-discipline and a remarkable reduction of violent crimes, by 56%!!! These are just a few examples of positive change – there are lists of improvements. Please go to their website and learn more about the UIUC study: www.herl.uiuc.edu. I found it an amazing and encouraging reason to garden as well as participate in AIB activities. Every day Marvin and his America In Bloom team are out there beating the streets and making a true difference for communities nationwide. According to Marvin, “Cities across the United States win just by participating. They document their community effort and are always surprised by the amazing results.” Marvin has his own garden, a balcony garden, as well as participating as the President of his condo association’ s Landscape and Grounds committee. Marvin is doing his own part “at home”. Marvin and the entire AIB team has a focus of making the United States a more beautiful, cleaner, healthier and safer place to live. We share a mutual goal of encouraging others to have a positive attitude in the garden and in the community. Please let Marvin Miller and the hundreds of volunteers which support America In Bloom inspire you to make a difference in your community. Volunteer and get healthy while you’re doing it – help make your community a safe and beautiful place to live!! To learn more about AIB and get further inspiration, please go to www.americainbloorm.org. Please send your gardening questions for Shawna Coronado, The Casual Gardener to dearshawna@thecasualgardener.com or The Casual Gardener, P.O. Box 358, Warrenville, IL 60555. www.thecasualgardener.com |
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